Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-02-01

Elfered at the POs.o6ce al Alexandria, Virginia, Gs
second -claSs natterI
Fitxhugii lee as :, Practical Jol1er.
In 1861 Fitzbugh Lee, now Governor of
Virginia, was commanding the Confederate
outpost in Fairfax county. as Colonel Of
cavalry. Col. Taunant, who was an inti-
mate friend and classmate Of Lees ct West
Point was in coa,uard Of the Unioa caval-
~ outpost near Alexandria. One day Tan
nant received orders to advance and feel
the Confederate position in frcnt A bat
TALON of men, made up from the depart
rnents and the city of Washington, called
the Presidents Body Guard, was assigned
him to make the advance. He said to &
friend before leaving:
II want soldiers with me on this eXpedl'
ton. know Fitz Lee. l have slept with
him. and whenever we come together some
BODY will have to do some good fighting OF
fast running know FitZ will fight. If L
had soldiers, and not these dress parade
fellows, would be delighted to give my
old friend brush, Just to let him see how
nicely we can whip him back into the
Union"
In the meantime his wife bad packed his
valise with clean linen aud q bottle Of old
Hennessey brandy. When everything was
ready Col. Tannant took up the line Of
march, along the Fairfax and Alexandria
turnpike, in the direction Of Fairfax Court
House. After the command had advanced
few miles and come to halt to rest, the
Colonel addressed his men in the following
words:
"Attention, battalion an now speaking
to Won as soldiers who have enlisted to de-
fend your country, and not as fellow-citi
Zens. I want every man to do his duty in
tbe time of battle as q soldier should. If
| there are any OF you VINO are rot wiling to
do this. step three PAGES to tho front"
Not . man moved. They stood like
wall of granite. This gave the Colonel
mnch encouragement.
Now, my soldiers" said he, with this
determination on your part, we will contin-
tie our advance and drive the enemy back,
or capture the entire force"
| Within u few miles Of the Court House
they encountered the Confederate pickets,
and succeeded in driving them back. This
gave the command new courage On they
pushed. But, alas Soon, Turner AShby,
with his Black Horse Cavalry. came charg-
| ing on their flank, while Fitz Lee pressed
them in front The engagement began to
get interesting, when suddenly Pelham's
Horse Artillery unIimbered on The left flank
and began to pour a calling fire into Tan
nants rauks. He rode to the front, leading
| the charge against Fiiz Lee on the other
side. The men seeing the situation. became
demoyalized and relreated in confusion,
falling back to Alexandra. The Union
forces lost lew killed aaG some prisoners.
\ I,,,,o ,fa ,hi1lo "a
captured, with his rations and baggage.
A few days after the fight dilapiGated
team drove up to his headquarters with the
letters sc. S. A" branded on the skeleton
mules, and in dim white letters On the side
of the topless ambulauce also appeared &c.
s. a. - and the driver, instead Of wearing
the blue. had on q suit of gray. The driver
entered Col. Tannants tent with military
salute. bearing III his hand the Colonel's va
lise.
the Colonel.
ters." was the reply. "Hs swapped teams
and clothes with me, and told me l could
come back and bring your valise, and here
it is, Colonel"
can right, my man." said the Colonel.
$50 to your quarters aud change your uni
form and report for duty"
Col. Tanpant took the valse over to his
wifes room and opened it. The contents Of
the valise were note, which ran in the fol-
lowing words:
OUTPOST CONFEDERATE ARMY VIRGINIA.
Ny Dear "Tant''-I have opened your yalse
appropriated your billed shirts for q change, and
also your bottle of old Hennessey for bad cold
traded ambuances and teams Also When you
come out again bring moro commissary and quar-
tcrmaster stores. tITz.
Col. Tannant kept the note until the close
Of the war, telling no one about it but his
faithful and loving WIFE, Tannant has been
!, living in Tennessee since the war; Recent
" he and Lee met, and the bottle of old
Hennessey was discussed.-&. Louis Globe
Democrat.